Machine for cleaning fruit



g- 6, 1929- J. H. RICHARDS 1,723,441

MACHINE FOR CLEANING FRUIT: I

Filed June 20, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet l [rwentar j Attorng' g- 6, 1929- J.H. RICHARDS 1,723,441

MACHINE FOR CLEANING FRUIT Filed June 20, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet .2

Inventar Attormgy Aug. 6, 1929. J. H. RICHARDS MACHINE FOR CLEANINGFRUIT Filed June 20, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet I I:

Patented Aug. 6, 1929.

JOHN NICHARDS, OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON,

MACHINE FOR CLEANING FRUIT.

Application filed. June 20,

This invention relates to new any useful improvements in machinery foruse in the washing of fruit,,vegetables,'eggs or any other commodity ofthat nature which requires cleaning before being placed on the market,the invention aiming to provide a relatively simple and efiicientlyoperating device, wherein the articles are first passed through achemical treating action and then a washing action, and finally abrushing and drying action, so that the articles may be shipped inproper and marketable condition.

The invention is characterized by means extending throughout the entirelength of the apparatus to cause the turning of the articles duringtheir longitudinal travel throughout the machine and While being,subject to a suitable chemical bath, the washing bath and cleaningoperation, with the obvious results that the articles are treated, wipedand cleaned throughout their entire surfaces.

An additional feature of my improved machine resides in the provision oftransversely actuating cleaning units engageable with the fruit orvegetables during the treating operation, this feature being provided inorder that the entire surface of the articles will be cleaned of dirtand other impurities.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown thepreferred em- I bodiment of my invention,

Figure l is a side elevation of my improved machine.

Figure 2 is a detail vertical section on an enlarged scale, and, takensubstantially on the line 2- 2 of Figure 1 and looking toward the leftin the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan of the chemical solutiontreating unit.

Figure 4 is a view partially in vertical section and partially in rearelevation of the wiping and drying unit of the machine.

Figure 5 is a etail transverse section through one of the spacedparallel pipe members that extend throughout the entire length of themachine, and v Figure 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal section thereof.

Figure 7 is a detail transverse section 1927. Serial No. 200,065.

through one of the cross carrying bars of the machine wiping and dryingunits, and

Figure 8 is a transverse section through the character of the endlessbelt that is referably provided in the three units 0 the machine.

Now having particular reference to the drawings, wherein there isdisclosed the most preferred embodiments of this invention with which Iam at this time familiar, the machine consists of three main unitsdesignated generally A, B, and C. These units are arranged in slightlyspaced longitudinally extending'manner as clearly indicated in Figure 1.The unit A is provided for the purpose of projecting a suitable chemicalsolution onto the fruit, vegetables or other articles passedtherethrough and at the same time for wiping the articles while passingtherethrough and in a direction 'at right angles to the direction oftravel. The unit B is the unit provided for washing the chemicalsolution from the articles, while the unit 0 is provided for drying thearticles, so that they may be conveniently packed after being passedthrough the machine.

The unit A includes a rectangularly shaped open frame 5, equipped at itsends and adjacent its top side with transversely extending belt drums 66around which' travels an endless conveyor belt 7. These drums aremounted upon suitable shafts journaled in hearings associated with theframe, while one end of the outer shaft is extended beyond the frame, sothat power may be applied thereto in any manner desirable, and this tocause the travel of the belt around the drums in a direction toward theright.

Mounted transversely across the top of the frame 5 and supported thereonin any suit able anti-frictional manner are the longitudinally spacedparallel bars 8, alternate ones thereof beingconnected. by metallicstraps or bars 99, so that certain ones of these bars will be caused totravel transversely in unison, while the others will also be caused totravel in unison but separately from the first mentioned ones. Theantifrictional support for these bars preferably consists oflongitudinal rollers 10-10 upon the top of the opposite sides of theframe, as clearly-indicated in Figures 2 and 3. Suitably attached to theunder sides of these bars are depending cleaning clothes 11 thatterminate slightly above the top run of the belt 7, so as to encounterthe fruitor vegetables passing therebeneath.

The end of the outermost drum shaft opposite to that from which power isapplied is equipped with a bevelled gear 12, while horizontallysupported upon the frame 5 outwardly of the ends of the drums 6(i 1s ashaft 13, the inner end thereof being equipped with a bevelled gear 14having mesh with the gear 12. This shaft 13 carries a pair of spaced camrollers 15- 15, while pivoted to suitable brackets pro ecting outwardlyfrom the frame 5 above the shaft 13 are rocker arms 16-16, the upperends thereof being suitably connected to the two series of cleaningcloth carrying bars 8. The lower ends of these before mentioned rockerarms 161(3 are connected to the machine frame 5, by retractile coilsprings 17 for causing the movement of the two series of bars 8, in onedirection. he shape of the cams 15-15 are such that. one arm 16 will berocked by its cam, while the other arm will be actuated by its spring17, and vice versa. By reason of this arrangement, the seriesof bars arecaused to travel transversely in reverse directions, so that the fruitor vegetables encountered by the cleaning cloths 11 will be wipedthroughout their entire surfaces.

The unit B also consists of a frame 18, within which is mounted a pairof longitudinally spaced transversely extending drums 19-19 over whichis trained an endless conveyor belt 20, either one of said drums beingpower driven so that the belt will be caused to travel in the directionof the arrow indicated in Figure 1.

The unit C also consists of a suitable frame 21, within which is mounteda pair of longitudinally spaced transversely spaced drums 22-22 overwhich is arranged an endless conveyor belt 23. Suitable means such asthat indicated by the reference character 2t2 l in Figure 1 is providedbetween the units A and B and B and C, directly at the upper runs of thevarious belts 7, 20 and 23, to cause the fruit from the belt 7 to travelonto the belt 20 and from the belt 20 of the unit B onto the unit of thebelt C. Furthermore, a suitable inclined chute board 25 is provided forthe unit A to cause the movement of the articles onto the belt 7 While asuitable chute board 26 is provided at the discharge end of the unit Cto cause the proper movement of the articles from its belt.

Extending throughout the entire length of the machine comprised by theunits A, B,

and C are spaced parallel hollow pipes 27, that are bent into zig-zagshape as indicated in Figure 3, to cause the rolling of the fruit orvegetables during their longitudinal movement by the belts 7, 20 and 23,directly below the hollow pipes 27. tube 27 of rubber or any othermaterial surrounds each pipe 27 to protect the fruits or vegetablesundergoing treatment from being bruised. This arrangement is moreclearly illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawing.

,These pipes 27 are of spaced relation slightly greater than thediameter of the fruit, vegetables or the like passing through themachine and serve as guide rails for said fruit or vegetables to preventthe lateral movement of the same upon the bolts for a distance greaterthan the spaced relation of said pipes.

As indicated in Figure 1, these pipes have their ends bent slightlydownwardly in spaced relation with the end drums 6 and 22 of units A andC so that the articles may freely move onto the belt- 7 and pass fromthe belt 23. Between the units A and B, the

pipes are plugged while the pipes at the inner end of the unit A areconnected by a transversely extending manifold pipe 28 that hascommunication at one end with a source of liquid chemical solution. Thesides of the pipes between the belt drums 66 of the unit A are formedwith openings 29. The rubber covering 27' of each pipe 27 is providedwith the openings 29 that are in registration with the respectiveopenings 29 formed in the pipe 27. The openings in the outermost pipesand the covering therefor are only upon the inner sides thereof andobviously by reason of these openings the solution will be caused toproject onto the articles moving between the pipes. By rcason of thecleaning units, the solution will be wiped upon the surface of thearticles to remove therefrom dirt and other foreign matter. Furthermore,by reason of the zigzag formation of the pipes, throughout the units A,B, and C, the articles traveling through the machine will be moveddiagonally in opposite directions causing the turning thereof so thatthe entire surfaces will be acted upon.

At the far end of the unit B, the pipes 27 are again connected with atransversely extending header pipe 30 that has communication at one endwith a source of water under pressure, the pipes within this unit Bbeing also provided with openings at their sides, so that the water willbe projected against the articles to Wash therefrom the chemicalsolution projected thereagainst during the travel through the unit A.The pipes between the units B and C are plugged, so that the water willnot flow into the pipes throughout the area of the same extendingthrough the unit 0.

The unit A is provided between its endless belt with a catch basin 32,while the unit B is provided beneath its conveyor with a catch basin 33,and if desired, these basins may have communication with the source ofchemical-solution and the washing fluid so that the same will not bewasted.

edges of which depend from the bars so that as the same move intoposition parallel relation above the conveyor belt 23, the edges of-thecloth. will have wiping engagement with the fruit-,yegetables or otherarticles passing through the unit C. v

Within the side chains 3737 there is rotatably mounted a central feedperipheral projecting blower 40 for driving air against the dryingclothes 39, so that those having wiping engagement with the articleswill be forced thereagainst, while those which have passed beyond thebelt 23 will receive the force of the air to cause the drying thereof.Preferably at the outer sides of the chains 37-37 are triangular shields41-41 formed at the ends of the" blower 40 with circular openings sothat air may be sucked therethrough.

Power may be applied to one end of either of the shafts 3 1F 34 or 36 tocause the movement ofthe chains in thedirection indicated by the arrowin Figure 1, that is, reversely to the direction of travel of the fruitor vegetables resultin in the complete wiping and drying of t e articlesIt will thus be seen that I have provided a highly novel, simple andefficiently operating machine for treating, washing and drying fruit,vegetables and the like, and even though I have herein shown anddescribed the invention asconsisting of certain detail structuralelements, it is nevertheless to be understood that some changes maybemade therein without affecting the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims.

The endless belt of each unit may be and preferably is so constructed asto provide ribs 42 upon the outer surface of the belt. Furthermore, eachunit belt is formed throughout its length with perforations 43 to permitfluid to pass therethrough, see Figure 8.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim as new is: f

1. In a machine of-the character described, a frame, an endless conveyorarranged horizontally Within the frame, longitudinally extending spacedpipes arranged within the frame directly above the conveyorand betweenwhich the fruit or vegetables will travel, said pipes being bent inparallel zigzag formationtocause a diagonal movement of the fruits orvegetables in a reverse direction, resultin in the rollin thereof, achemical solution supply mani old for all of said pipes, the inner sidesof said pipes being provided with discharge openings, so that thesolution will project upon the fruits or vegetablesduringmovementthrough the pipes, and means bein located transverselyupon the top side of t e frame to cause the wiping of the solution ontothe surface of the fruit or vegetables.

2. In a machine of the character described, a frame, an endless conveyorarranged horizontally within the frame, longitudinally extending: spacedipes arranged within the frame directly above the conveyor and betweenwhich the fruit or vegetables will travel, said pipes being bent inparallel zigzag formation to cause a diagonal movement of the fruits orvegetables, in a reverse direction, resulting in the rolling thereof, a-

chemical solution supply manifold for all of'said pipes, the inner sidesof said pipes being provided with discharge openings, so thatthesolution will'project upon the fruits or vegetables during movementthrough the pipes, and means bein located transversely upon theitop sideof ti Wiping of the solution onto the surface of the fruit orvegetables, said means consisting of reciprocating bars, and, dependingwiping cloths associated with said bars and terminatin directly abovethe solution pipes.

3. fn a machine of the class described, a frame, an endless conveyorbelt arranged horizontally therein, apertured. pipes arrangedhorizontally above the belt, said pipes being disposed in parallelzig-zag relation withv respect to each other to effect a rotary movementto be imparted to the material passing between the pipes along the upperflight of the conveyor belt, and a liquid supply pipe communicating withsaid aforementioned pipes.

4. In a machine of the class described, a frame, an endless conveyorbelt arranged horizontally therein, apertured pipes arrangedhorizontally above the belt, saide frame to cause the mentioned pipes,and means on the machine for movement over the material to wipe thefluid ejected from the apertured pipes onto the material that movesthrough the frame on said belts.

5. In a machine of the class described, a

frame, an endless conveyor belt arranged horizontally within the frameand longitudiv wiping elements depending from each of said bars forcontact with the material to wipe the liquid over the surface of thematerial.

6. In a machine of the class described, a frame, an endless conveyorbelt arranged horizontally within the frame and longitudinally thereof,spaced apertured pipes arranged longitudinally above the conveyor beltand adapted to eject a liquid supplied to the pipes onto the materialcarried by the upper flight of the belt, a plurality of bars arrangedtransversely on the frame above said pipes, wiping elements dependingfrom each bar for engagement with the material on the upper flight ofthe conveyor belt for wiping the liquid over the surface of -saidmaterial, and means for actuating said bars, said means comprising ashaft journaled for rotation on the frame and arranged longitudinallywith respect thereto, a rocker arm pivotally supported intermediate itsends on the frame, said bars being interconnected for simultaneousoperation, an operative connection between the upper end of the rockerarm and said bars, a retractile spring connecting the lower end of saldrocker arm to the frame, and a cam on the shaft for engagement with therocker arm to periodically swing the upper end portion thereof inwardlyagainst the tension of the retractile coil spring.

7. In a machine of the class described, a frame, an endless conveyorbelt arranged horizontally within the frame and longitudinally thereof,spaced apertured pipes arranged longitudinally thereof, spaced aperturedpipes arranged longitudinally above the conveyor belt and adapted toeject a liquid supplied to the pipe onto the material carried by theupper flight of the belt, a plurality of bars arranged transversely onthe frame above said pipes, Wiping elements depending from each bar forengagement with the material on the upper flight of the conveyor beltfor wiping the liquid over the surface of said material, and means foractuating said bars, said means comprising a shaft journaled forrotation on the frame and arranged longitudinally with respect thereto,a rocker arm pivotally supported intermediate its ends on the frame,said bars being interconnected for simultaneous operation, an operativeconnection between the upper end of the rocker arm and said bars, aretrac'tile spring connecting the lower end of said rocker arm to theframe,- a cam on the shaft for engagement with the rocker arm toperiodically swing the upper end portion thereof inwardly against thetension of the retractile coil spring, said apertured pipes beingdisposed in such a manner as to effect the rotation'of the materialduring the feeding of the same throughthe machine.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JOHN H. RICHARDS.

